Page:An introduction to Indonesian linguistics, being four essays.djvu/229

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been validated.
ESSAY III
217

and Plants: “Their leaf ribs are manufactured into brooms” = L.t.a. + m.b. = nere na dijiyön sapu.
151. Predicate and infinitive. In this case also there is, as a rule, merely juxtaposition. — Illustration, Bug., from the letter of Princess X, wherein she asks Matthes for a copy of the Jayalangkara : “That is what I wish to say to you” = That I wish say to you = iya uw aqkatta powadada r' idiq.
Bont., in this case, employs the copula. Illustration, from the Battle of Kaloqokan: “We are going to take” = Going we "ay" take = umüy kami ay umala.
152. Predicate and direct object.
I. The Common IN rule is that the direct object is added, without more, to the predicate. — Illustrations. Simalurese, from Westenenk's small Collection of Dialogues: “May I take these coconuts ?” = M. I t. c. these = dai u abe bonol ereh. Sangirese, from Adriani's Songs: “He longs for the absent ones” = Desires men absent the = měkati tau tadi e. Banggayan, from Riedel's text: “We looked for bulbous roots” = ikami moṅombolii baku.
This order is not absolutely obligatory. If the object is to be emphasized it may precede. In the Masaretese Story of the Forest Spirit there is one case of the order object + predicate, occasioned by the object being emphasized on account of antithesis: “(Hereafter I shall only come with my voice), but you shall not be able to behold my body again” = But body the you get see no more = bu fatan di kimi beta aṅak mela beka.
II. In a very small number of languages the direct object is linked to the predicate by means of a preposition. This is done in Bont. by means of is and in Hova, in certain cases, by means of ani. — Illustrations. Bont., from the Battle of Kaloqokan: “Then we buy the cake” = T. b. we the c. = keceṅ lumago kami is nan kankanen. Hova, from the Testament of Umbiasa: "Men have begotten thee" = ulumbeluna (nu) niteraka ani ialahi.
III. In Nias the direct object is in the status constructus. Illustration, from the Story of the Woman who wanted to